How to Prepare Readings |
Objective
of a “reading” of a passage
Reading Assignments During weekly readings, note particular incidents (and mark pages for reference) that you find notable, either for energy of presentation, surprises in values, or oddities in presentation. You will, of course, refer some stories to others. Consider, however, at lest one incident that troubles or confuses you. You may learn more from attention to such an incident than from the pleasure of traveling once more over apparently familiar ground. After completing a Iliad sections, reread one or a few passages you have singled out. Try to see circumstances from the point of view of characters. Characters at times will see differently, and tracing varied or conflicting approaches to circumstances and actions will hone your sensitivity to Greek worlds, Greek actions, and Greek values.
Audience Consider
your reader to be one of your fellow class-mates. A successful reading
will keep your reader’s attention; it will invite your reader to
return to your passage, and to the story in which the passage functions;
and it will enable your reader to see the passage in a new way. The
crucial question to consider is less what the passage “means” and
more what the passage gets a reader to do. Consider how the passage
moves readers at specific times in specific ways. Use discussion threads
to gain experience, sharing responses, reactions and reflections with
fellow readers. Seek to gain there respect. Your opinions are to reveal
Greek circumstances, attitudes, actions and values, not to pass judgment
on your personal likes and dislikes. Selecting a passage Consider
and note possible passages for explication as you read each assigned
text. Select at least one specific passage from among those you note for
each assigned text. Passages generally range from a few lines to half a
page. Try to pick a passage which you can treat as self-contained.
Limiting a passage such that you will need Developing
a reading Read
your passage through several times, marking notable words, and questions
or comments, as sources for development. Look for features of language
which raise questions. Then identify central questions your analysis
will consider. Identify
one or a few possible questions your reading will explore. Then consider
carefully why your reader will find your concerns worth time and effort
to follow. You may offer an answer to the question or questions you
raise, or you may reserve judgment until the end of your reading. In
either case, your final judgment |